GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball defeated the Profs of Rowan University, 60-44 to win the Messiah University Tip-Off Tournament. The Falcons started the game strong leading 15-9 after the first quarter. The Falcons then outscored the Profs 18-14 to take a 33-23 into the half. The Falcons dominated the third quarter outscoring the Profs by 12 to give the Falcons a 54-32 lead entering the final quarter. Rowan outscored the Falcons 12-6 in the fourth, but the damage had been done and the Falcons went on to win the tournament with a 60-44 final score. Reese Harden earned Tournament MVP after posting 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Chloe Milanesi added 11 points with seven steals, six assists, and five rebounds.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Lions of Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game strong with a 7-0 run in the first four minutes. Reese Harden started the run with a jumper and Liv Monturo capped off the run with a layup. The Profs answered back with four straight points, but a Harden three and Chloe Milanesi two free throws cut any momentum gained by the Profs. The Profs outscored the Falcons 5-3 in the final four minute, with Charlotte Milanesi ending the quarter with a layup to give the Falcons a 15-9 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Profs opened the second quarter strong with a 7-2 run to cut the Falcons lead to one. The Falcons then responded with a quick 5-1 run with Charlotte Milanesi hitting a three and Reese Harden adding a layup. After the two teams traded points, the Falcons ended the half with a 9-2 run. Harden led the Falcons in the run with seven points and Raegan Fogarty hit a couple of free throws to give the Falcons a 33-23 lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons came out of the break firing with a 9-3 run in the first five minutes. The run was highlighted by a Reese Harden three to extend the Falcons lead to 16. After a couple of Rowan baskets, the Falcons finished the third with a 12-1 run that was led by Hope Cook draining three shots from behind the arc to push the Falcons lead to 54-32 entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Profs outscored the Falcons 12-6, but the Falcons built up a big enough lead to hold off any late comeback attempt from the Profs. Chloe Milanesi added four points and Raegan Fogarty added a basket for the Falcons in the fourth to give the Falcons the 60-44 win in the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament Championship game.
 
Stats
Reese Harden earned Tournament MVP after posting 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Chloe Milanesi added 11 points with seven steals, six assists, and five rebounds. Liv Monturo added eight points and seven rebounds. Also, Hope Cook added nine points. The Falcons shot 39 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three. The Profs shot 30.0 percent from the field and 26.7 from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Lions of Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m.